Apple Matches Microsoft Step-For-Step; Plans iPad Mini Release In October

Microsoft unveiled its Surface tablet in June this year that is widely touted as Apple's iPad competitor. Though unveiled in June, Microsoft plans to launch the tablet on October 26.
The Cupertino technology giant that maintained a dignified silence for long seems to have unleashed new missiles against competitors, as news of its iPad release has just been confirmed for October, slightly ahead of competition.
Initially, it was rumored that "iPad Mini" will be unveiled along with the next-generation iPhone at the September 12 event. However, experts including Daring Fireball's John Gruber averred that "iPad Mini," may not share spotlight with the new iPhone.

Apple Matches Microsoft Step-For-Step; Plans iPad Mini Release In October - International Business TimesPublish Post

How to sniff out the Microsoft phone call scam

This phone-based scam has been around since 2008 and the scammers are using more sophisticated social engineering tactics to make them appear to be legitimate.

Based on the number of people asking us about these phone calls on our free help Facebook page , it's obvious that the scammers have cranked up their efforts.

Remote service is completely safe and a great way to get your computer taken care of, but only when YOU initiate the call to a service provider. Microsoft does not have a random task force that monitors infected Windows computers around the world and calls when they see a problem.

Here are some of the ways that they are currently trying to trick people:

The caller ID generally says 'Home Security' and includes what appears to be a valid number. In general, you will likely hear a strange accent.

In the past, if you were to ask them for a phone number and name so you can call them back, they would hang up. Today, they will gladly give you their direct extension and name in an effort to get you to let your guard down.

Whatever number they give you will generally ring busy if you were to try calling it (part of the scam).

If they can convince you to stay on the line, they quickly try to convince you that your computer has been compromised by having you run some 'diagnostics' yourself as proof.

A recent tactic is to get the victim to open the Windows Event Viewer, which has a log of any errors that Windows has detected. Unless you just recently installed Windows, your Event Log is bound to show some errors (very normal), which can be made to seem scary to non-technical users.

Another trick that they use is to get you to drop to a command prompt (black background with white text) to check your system ID and to have you run a verify command, which will return the message that 'verify is off'.

They will then tell you that your computer ID can't be verified which means your computer hasn't been able to get Windows updates (which is completely false; the verify command is to verify that data has been written to a drive correctly).

They may even guide you to pull up something that they claim is a system certificate that has a 2011 date, which they will try to convince you means your computer hasn't been updated since last year.

Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/money/consumer/data_doctor/how-to-sniff-out-the-microsoft-phone-call-scam#ixzz24fjoySNr

How to sniff out the Microsoft phone call scam

Apple patent victory boosts Microsoft as Asian vendors scramble

 HONG KONG/SEATTLE (Reuters) - Apple Inc's decisive triumph over Samsung Electronics in the most closely watched patent trial in years could open the door for Microsoft Corp to finally hop on board the mobile boom as manufacturers of Android-based smartphones and tablets weigh their legal risks.
Microsoft sounded a challenge to Apple and Samsung in July when it took the wraps off its Surface tablet, a showcase for the revamped Windows software that it hopes will pave the way for its entry into the mobile space.  It remains to be seen if the new touchscreen-friendly and cloud computing-ready Windows 8 can prove a serious rival to Android, the world's most-used mobile software, or Apple's iOS. But mobile industry executives who had been cautiously considering Windows as an alternative to Google's Android say Friday's ruling that Samsung had copied Apple's designs and software features had intensified their interest in a Microsoft alternative.

Apple patent victory boosts Microsoft as Asian vendors scramble - Chicago Tribune

Sonus Session Border Controller Selected by Telenet as its Unified Communications Platform

--Sonus SBC 5100 selected to connect Telenet's existing PBX and Microsoft(R) Lync(TM) systems and provide SIP trunking services to Telenet's 2,000 employees across 11 locations

--Sonus SBC 5100 expected to lower Telenet's operating expenses by eliminating costly PRI trunks, reducing phone charges and simplifying its network management

--Sonus SBC 5100 was chosen for its scalability and powerful media transcoding

--Telenet is the first Sonus customer in Europe to take shipment of a Sonus SBC 5100

Sonus Networks, Inc. SONS -1.09% , a global leader in SIP communications, today announced that Telenet, the largest provider of broadband cable services in Belgium, has selected the Sonus SBC 5100 Session Border Controller (SBC) to unify SIP communications for the cable operator's approximately 2,000 employees.

Telenet currently has 2.1 million service subscribers and offers Triple Play services (voice/video/high-speed Internet) to residential and business customers in Belgium and Luxembourg. The Belgian cable operator selected the Sonus SBC 5100 for its unique scalability (which is approximately 2X that of competitive mid-sized SBCs) and powerful media transcoding. The Sonus SBC 5100 will be deployed in Telenet's internal network as the centerpiece of a new SIP trunking solution that is expected to help the cable provider lower its operating expenses by eliminating costly PRI trunks, reducing its internal long-distance phone charges and simplifying its network management.

Telenet will also leverage the Sonus SBC 5100 to consolidate its communications by connecting with its existing Private Branch eXchange (PBX) and Microsoft(R) Lync(TM) systems.

Sonus Session Border Controller Selected by Telenet as its Unified Communications Platform - MarketWatch

Sonus SBC 5100 and Sonus SBC 5200 Certified in Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program for Microsoft Lync Server 2010

Sonus Networks, Inc (Nasdaq: SONS), a global leader in SIP communications, today announced that the Sonus SBC 5000 series of session border controllers (SBC) has been tested and certified in Microsoft Corp's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program for Lync Server 2010. The Sonus SBC 5000 series includes the Sonus SBC 5100, which delivers 250 to 10,000 sessions, and the Sonus SBC 5200, which supports 64,000 sessions on a single server. By achieving this certification, service provider, enterprise customers and resellers can be confident that Sonus SBC 5000 series products interoperate with Microsoft’s unified communications solutions featuring Lync Server 2010.

Read more at http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/08/22/sonus-sbc-5100-and-sonus-sbc-5200-certified-microsofts-unified-communications-open-intero#fdgyq0MgPfrlvYd6.99

Sonus SBC 5100 and Sonus SBC 5200 Certified in Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program for Microsoft Lync Server 2010 | Virtual-Strategy Magazine

Aruba Enhances Wi-Fi for Greater Density

The new ArubaOS updates is also certified to deliver the Microsoft Lync unified communications solution. Dondurmacioglu said that Aruba has been working with Microsoft's Lync development team directly as a technology partner.
"Our innovation with regard to identifying and prioritizing Microsoft Lync calls is an Aruba innovation and it is the primary reason for Aruba being the only wireless LAN vendor to date that has received qualification in the Microsoft Lync Server Wi-Fi compliance program," Dondurmacioglu said. "We have learned a lot from the Lync team at Microsoft with regard to how the application performs signaling and starts media streams – and we have implemented deep packet inspection to track Lync flows dynamically, thanks to the stateful firewall on the Aruba Mobility Controllers and the Aruba access points."

Aruba Enhances Wi-Fi for Greater Density

Microsoft Lync Online rides coattails of Office 365 adoption

The audience of small and medium-sized businesses that might deploy Microsoft Lync Server 2010 on-premises is limited, but partners report accelerating interest in the cloud edition, Lync Online.
Microsoft Lync Server is a unified communications platform that combines instant messaging, videoconferencing, email and collaboration technologies. Lync Online can be purchased either on its own or bundled with Microsoft Office 365.
At InfinIT Consulting, a managed services provider in San Jose, Calif., close to 85% of Lync customers opt to combine Lync Online with Office 365, replacing insecure communications platforms such as Skype or more pricey offerings such as Citrix GoToMeeting or Cisco WebEx, said Jerod Powell, CEO and founder.
"Lync is a slam dunk argument for most people," he said. "It can save some companies thousands of dollars."


Microsoft Lync Online rides coattails of Office 365 adoption

Office 365, Office 2013: Microsoft Erases Cloud, On-premises Line

Yes, The Line Is Gone

But am I sure the line between Office 365 and Office 2013 will be erased? Absolutely yes. Just look at Microsoft’s plans in the consumer and small business market. Microsoft has announced, word for word, these cloud-driven suites:

• Office 365 Home Premium designed for families and consumers. This service also includes an additional 20 GB of SkyDrive storage and 60 minutes of Skype world minutes per month
• Office 365 Small Business designed for small businesses. This service also includes business-grade email, shared calendars, website tools and HD webconferencing.
• Office 365 ProPlus designed for enterprise customers who want advanced business capabilities and the flexibility to deploy and manage in the cloud.

Each of those offerings, Microsoft has said,will include the new 2013 editions of the Office applications — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access.

Partner Spin

What does all that mean for channel partners? I’ve often stated that some Microsoft VARs are far too focused on Microsoft’s tight margins for SaaS partners. Instead, VARs should focus on consulting, migration and project management revenues for Office 365. Over time, the monthly recurring revenues will build — but it’s gravy, not your meat and potatoes revenue.
Bottom line: You can’t fight Exchange server’s shift into the cloud. And soon, you won’t be able to fight Office 2013 (and beyond) subscription services. Instead of fighting those market realities, figure out where the profit opportunity is — or move onto new markets.

Office 365, Office 2013: Microsoft Erases Cloud, On-premises Line | TalkinCloud

Top 10 Windows 8 touch apps | Reviews | CNET UK

The Windows 8 Release Preview has been available since the beginning of the month, so by now you've probably played around with it a little and started to get used to the way everything works in the new Metro environment.
As we've learnt from mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS, the OS is only half the story. For Windows 8 to be successful, it needs some great third-party apps to go with its touchscreen-friendly interface. Fortunately for Microsoft, there are already a lot of really good touchscreen titles in its Windows 8 store. Here's 10 you should definitely try out.

Top 10 Windows 8 touch apps | Reviews | CNET UK

Nokia Maps to replace Bing Maps in Windows Phone 8, report says

 Microsoft and Nokia have made it clear that their partnership extends beyond the operating system that is bundled into a device. And with the launch of Windows Phone 8, that will be apparent, according to a new report.

Nokia Maps to replace Bing Maps in Windows Phone 8, report says | Wireless Week

Ratio Interactive Launches Contest to Inspire Great Windows 8 Design

 Ratio Interactive, an award winning Digital Agency announced today that they will sponsor a contest to inspire great Windows 8 design. The contest will open following this week’s Windows 8 Virtual UX Training, a free online event hosted by Microsoft that will be held this Thursday, June 14th.

Ratio Interactive Launches Contest to Inspire Great Windows 8 Design | Virtual-Strategy Magazine

Google Chrome Browser Gets Windows 8 Metro Styling

 Google have today officially released the first test release browser for Windows 8 that is non-Microsoft. The test release is noteworthy in that it does not follow the typical Metro designs. However will fans of Chrome care?
Google Chrome Browser Gets Windows 8 Metro Styling

Microsoft providing mapping data for Apple’s new Maps app

Update: A reader sent the images above showing some of Apple’s maps are identical to Microsoft’s for certain locations.

Yesterday evidence surfaced showing that Apple was crediting TomTom, in addition to OpenStreetMap, for at least some of the data used in its new in-house Maps app. Today a report from TechPP (via TheNextWeb) pointed to proof that some of Apple’s Maps data appears to be coming from Microsoft as well:

Microsoft providing mapping data for Apple’s new Maps app | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence

Aging Microsoft Lures Young Tech Idealists

The young interns, some of the nation's best and brightest in technology, business and design, had plenty of enthusiastic words to describe their summer employer.
Fun. Cool. Special. A giant start-up. Revolutionizing the world. Facebook, perhaps? Or Twitter? Or Google?
Try Microsoft Corp : the company once derided as the "death star" of the technology business and lately thought of not so much as dangerous, but merely irrelevant, bureaucratic and dull.
"Microsoft feels cool again," said 22-year-old Gbenga Badipe, an electrical engineering student at Rice University, one of 1,500 interns spending 12 weeks at the company's leafy campus this summer. "Microsoft products touch almost every area of technology, and everything they do is starting to work together."

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2012/06/12/feature-aging-microsoft-lures-young-tech-idealists/#ixzz1xbMNiBHy

Nokia Confirms PureView Technology for Windows Phones

Nokia has confirmed that its PureView camera technology will be headed to Windows Phones at some point in the future.
Chris Weber, Nokia’s U.S. President, confirmed the good news in an interview with Howard Chui of the popular site, Howard’s Forums. In the lengthy interview, which was first reported by WPSauce, Weber says that PureView technology will be coming to Windows Phone handsets.

Nokia Confirms PureView Technology for Windows Phones

Office365 for the Enterprise, SharePoint in the Cloud

 With broad adoption of SharePoint 2010 coupled with the business need to drive down costs and management overhead of information technology, many organizations are looking more closely at hosted versions of SharePoint — both private and public cloud offerings, as well as Office365.

 By Christian Buckley (@buckleyplanet)

Office365 for the Enterprise, SharePoint in the Cloud at #TECHED2012

Microsoft Q&A: With Windows 8, the Choice Is Yours - Windows Store, iPads, javascript, internet explorer, Facebook, cio, Technology Topics | Operating Systems, Technology Topics, tablets, hardware systems, smartphones, consumer electronics, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows, operating systems, software, Microsoft,

Microsoft Q&A: With Windows 8, the Choice Is Yours - Windows Store, iPads, javascript, internet explorer, Facebook, cio, Technology Topics | Operating Systems, Technology Topics, tablets, hardware systems, smartphones, consumer electronics, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows, operating systems, software, Microsoft, TECH ED - CIO 

Shane O'Neill (CIO (US)

Xbox 360 System Update v2.0.15572.0 goes LIVE, details revealed

 Microsoft has just released a new Xbox 360 system update v2.0.15572.0. It activates new languages of Bing including Genres and Sorting. It also switch the layout of homescreen and now display avatar store linked right next to gamers avatar.  By Sehran

Xbox 360 System Update v2.0.15572.0 goes LIVE, details revealed

Windows 8 Tip: Shut Down, Restart, and Sleep

With Windows 8, Microsoft is standardizing a lot of common tasks through new system-level features such as charms, contracts, and settings. But this standardization is causing some users fits, so I’m writing up a series of tips aimed at helping you overcome some common gotcha’s. In this tip, I look at a common source of confusion in Windows 8: How you shut down, restart, or sleep the PC.
It used to be so simple. In Windows 7 and all previous Windows versions dating back to 1995, you would initiate various power management actions via the Start Menu. In Windows 8, however, that interface has been replaced by a new full-screen Start experience, called the Start screen. And those Start Menu-based power management options are no longer available there. So what’s a poor Windows user to do?
Learn how it works in Windows 8, of course.

Windows 8 Tip: Shut Down, Restart, and Sleep

Microsoft: Windows 8 is 'enterprise ready' - Windows 8, Windows, operating systems, software, Microsoft

Microsoft urged enterprises on Tuesday to adopt Windows 8, its upcoming OS for desktops, laptops and tablets which some industry experts believe faces an uphill battle for acceptance by IT professionals.

At a keynote speech at TechEd North America in Orlando, Microsoft officials outlined a series of reasons for enterprises to seriously consider upgrading to Windows 8, which is expected to be commercially available before the end of this year. About 10,000 IT pros are attending this year's conference.

However, analysts at Gartner, IDC and other IT research firms have expressed skepticism that IT departments will embark on wholesale Windows 8 upgrades, since many companies have just finished, or are in the midst of, upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP. 

 Juan Carlos Perez (IDG News Service)

Microsoft: Windows 8 is 'enterprise ready' - Windows 8, Windows, operating systems, software, Microsoft, TECH ED - ARN